SCIENCE

RARE
TOPIC – NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT

“Sustainable development is the masterful balance of meeting our own needs

without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to do the same”
BY: OVIYA THUMILAN
CLASS: 10-C
INDEX
1.DATA COLLECTION
2.NOTE MAKING
3.SELF REFLECTION
4.RESOURCE
COMMENTARY GUIDE
Sustainability is the foundation for today’s leading
global framework for international cooperation—the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and
its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In June
2022, environmental leaders from around the world
met to take stock of where we've been and where we
are heading, with the goal of galvanizing momentum
for the UN Decade of Action for achieving the SDGs.

Regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we

do, we all have a moral obligation to each other, our
future generations, and other species to sustain the
planet. Our present choices and actions have huge long-
term impacts on future generations. Practicing
sustainability ensures that we make ethical choices that
bring a safe and livable future to everyone. If we
deplete the resources of the Earth, future generations
will be depleted. For example, if we over fish our
oceans, we risk not only depleting the supply of fish,
but also depleting the supply of every organism in the
food chain related to that fish.
In the long-term, our society benefits from improved
water and air quality, reduced landfills, and increased
renewable energy sources. Sustainable actions help
make a real difference in society. Being committed to
sustainability will reduce your carbon footprint and the
amount of toxins released into the environment, making
it safe. When we focus on sustainability, the entire
world benefits and gets to live in clean, more healthy
living conditions.
A little change in your habits can have a big sustainable
effect. Opt for reusable bottles on the go. Choose
reusable dishrags over paper towels, reusable grocery
bags over paper or plastic bags. Also, use reusable food
storage containers to pack your food safely while
reducing waste.
Cut Down On Plastic
Every year, thousands of sea turtles, seabirds, and other
marine mammals die because of plastic. So cut down on
your plastic waste by using reusable bags when and
avoiding plastic-made products. Plastic is not
biodegradable, so it ends up in landfills unless reused
by a brand committed to sustainability.
Recycle
Recycling is the very least everyone should be doing at
this point. It’s so easy and convenient to recycle.
Simply make sure you have a recycle bin in your home,
business, etc. All waste companies now offer recycling
pick up with trash pick up so there is really no excuse

What is Environmental Sustainability and Why Is It

Important?
Even if you are committed to the fight against climate
change, you may be unsure of the answer to “what is
environmental sustainability?” The standard definition
of environmental sustainability equates to
environmentally sustainable development, but what
does that mean on a practical level? It means there must
be a balanced relationship between the natural resources
available to us and the human consumption of those
resources:
 1. For renewable resources like crops or timber, the
rate of harvest shouldn’t exceed the rate of
regeneration. This is known as “sustainable yield.”
2. For non-renewable resources like fossil fuels, the
rate of depletion shouldn’t exceed the rate of
development of renewable alternatives like solar or
wind power.
3. For pollution, the rates of waste generation
shouldn’t exceed the capacity of the environment to
assimilate that waste. This is known as “sustainable
waste disposal.”
In short, environmental sustainability states that the
rates of renewable resource harvest, non-renewable
resource depletion, and pollution assimilation can be
naturally maintained indefinitely. The United Nations
World Commission on Environment and Development
goes further, defining environmental sustainability as
behaving today in a way that ensures that future
generations will have enough natural resources to
maintain a quality of life equal to if not better than that
of current generations.
Achieving a balance between natural resources and
human consumption that is both respectful of the
natural world yet fuels our modern way of life, is one of
the most important pieces in the climate-change puzzle.
With unchecked resource depletion, we risk a global
food crisis, energy crisis, and an increase in greenhouse
gas emissions that will lead to a global warming crisis.
On the other hand, with too many restrictions on the use
of natural resources, we risk slowing technological and
economic advancement.
For the future of our planet and the humans who
populate it, it’s vital to weigh the competing needs of
environmental protection and human development so
both the natural world and society are able to flourish.
Striking this delicate balance is challenging—though
not impossible—and issues surrounding sustainability,
the environment, and society have been the focus of
scientists, philosophers, politicians, and policy experts
for decades.
Advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuel power
Advantages Disadvantages

Readily available (at Non-renewable source – will

the moment) eventually run out

Relatively easy to
produce energy from Increasing fuel costs
them

Release carbon dioxide (CO2 )

when burnt – greenhouse gas

Release sulphur dioxide (SO2 )

when burnt – acid rain
 Fossil fuels are not renewable energy sources.
 Fossil fuels pollute the environment.
 In the case of irresponsible use, they can be dangerous.
 Easier to store and transport.
 It is really cheap.
 It is more reliable than renewable energy.

The growth of adaption of sustainable development:

Firstly there has been a growing recognition of the global
challenges posed by issues such as climate change, limited
natural resources, and population growth. In response, the
international community has stepped up in developing laws,
policies and goals calling on all stakeholders to play its part.
From the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as part of the
UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through to
the Paris Climate Accord and the EU's tough carbon targets,
sustainability is now firmly on the global agenda. The result
means that there has been a growing expectation on business
to play its part.
 SELF REFLECTION

In this process researching for this

assignment I have learned about the
importance and the main idea behind
sustainable development and their goals
to adapt to it.
I have come across many other ways in
how i would be able to participate in the
wellbeing of this environment and take
such measures to reduce any type of
harm that can be caused by our actions.
It is important that awareness be
created in such areas for the upbringing
of this organisation.
RESOURCE
COMMENTARY GUIDE:

https://www.pcimag.com/articles/107071-past-decade-has-produced-a-
sustainability-shift
https://www.socialwatch.org/fr/node/12477
RUBRIC
OBJECTIVE LEVEL 4 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 1
“RARE” Stated and sharply Stated but clearly Stated but Not stated
STATEMENT focused expressed not clearly
expressed

INVESTIGATIO Clear evidence that Investigation has

Evidence of Little evidence
N PLANNING investigation has been been some that
well planned satisfactorily planning in investigation
planned the has been
investigatio planned
n
ANALYSIS AND Little application of Some application Sound Effective and
EVALUATION appropriate analytical and of appropriate application sophisticated
evaluative skills analytical and of application of
evaluative skills appropriate appropriate
analytical analytical and
and evaluative
evaluative skills
skills
CONCLUSION An effective relevant A relevant A No attempt to
conclusion is attempted conclusion is conclusion provide a
and consistent with the attempted but not is attempted conclusion
evidence consistent with but not
the evidence relevant to
research

KNOWLEDGE Demonstrates a clear Demonstrates Demonstrat Demonstrates

AND knowledge and adequate es basic some
UNDERSTANDI understanding of the topic knowledge and knowledge knowledge and
NG OF TOPIC understanding of and understanding
the topic understandi of the topic
ng of the
topic
PEER/ SELF
APPRAISAL

TEACHER’S
REMARKS